An Item in The Island, 18 October 2017 with the title “Wars, riots and abandoned tours”A Sri Lankan player boards a Pakistan military helicopter after terrorists opened fire on the team bus during the 2009 tour.

The dramatic announcement on Friday (October 17), that West Indies would be cutting short their tour of India because of a pay dispute, was not the first time a major international cricket series had come to an unexpected end. Here’s a snapshot of several other tours that ended abruptly in unusual circumstances.Read the rest of this entry ?

Bipin Dani, in Pakistan Observer, 13 September 2017, with the title Won’t use helmet, I am fit enough to move out of danger area: Ruchira

Sri Lankan umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge had a “lucky escape” on Wednesday night.The 50-year-old field umpire could survive the serious injury on Wednesday’s only T-20 match between Sri Lanka and India at the R. Premeadasa Stadium. The powerful straight drive shot from Kohli’s bat (off Lasith Malinga, 16th over of India innings) was “nearly a killer”. Thanks to Palliyaguruge, who fell down on the ground an ugly incident was avoided.

George Dobell, courtesy of ESPNcricinfo, where the title is “Embarrassed by how West Indies played in the nineties – Lara”

Brian Lara has implored the top sides in world cricket “to ensure that the integrity of the game is upheld” and admitted there were times he was “truly embarrassed” by the behaviour of the West Indies side he represented.

Michael Holding kicks the stumps in anger Getty Images

Lara, delivering the MCC Spirt of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at Lord’s, not only called on batsmen to “walk” but suggested the leading sides had a responsibility to “show the way and lead the way” in which the game is played.And, despite the outstanding record of the West Indies sides of the 1980s and early 1990s, Lara felt they were occasions when the tactics they employed resulted in them “playing the game in a way it should never, ever be played.” Read the rest of this entry ?

Former Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who was one of the six victims in the March 3, 2009 terrorist attack on the team’s bus in Lahore, said Sri Lankan players going to play in Pakistan should only concentrate on the game. After a security assessment, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Thilanga Sumathipala cleared the team to play three T20s, including at least one in Lahore.